SACRAMENTO, CA -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger launched the second annual Governor’s Challenge Competition on Dec. 18 at Culver City (CA) Middle School. Joining Schwarzenegger at the event was Jake Steinfeld, chairman of the governor’s council on physical fitness and sports.

The Governor’s Challenge Competition challenges California students in grades K-12 to be active for 30-60 minutes a day at least three days a week for a month. California schools must have its students complete the challenge by April 30, 2008.

“You can go swimming, you can go hiking, you can go running, jogging, play football, play tennis, whatever you want to do,” Schwarzenegger told the Culver City Middle School students. “Even when you walk your dog, as long as you get exercise, that is important. And we will do it as a combination, where teachers will join the students. It’s like an effort together.”

The competition’s grand prize, awarded to the winning elementary, middle and high schools, will be a new fitness activity center valued at $100,000 each. Also, 11 $5,000 regional awards will be given to schools to purchase physical activity equipment. Thirty-three $1,000 front-runner recognition awards will be given to the elementary, middle and high schools in each region that record the most active days by Jan. 31, 2008.